the hint of bipartisanship is starting to fade in washington when it comes to avoiding the "fiscal cliff." some republicans said they are willing to consider some tax increases but they are insisting on larger budget cuts to benefit programs, which democrats oppose. if all sides can't agree on a spending plan before the year's end, automatic tax hikes and across-the-board budget cuts will all kick in. >> we must do everything we can during this short period of time to ensure that middle class families are not hit with $2,200 a year in tax increases. >> i hope cooler heads will prevail as we move through the process. we need to be working together. >> president obama is trying to generate public support for his idea. he will meet with corporate executives at the white house then travel to pennsylvania on friday to push for higher tax rates for the wealthy. >>> after meeting with her harshest critics, senate republicans say they are even more troubled over u.n. ambassador susan rice's initial response to the deadly terror attack in benghazi. in a closed meeting yesterday, rice met with sev